Updating LANDFIRE Fuel Data Assists Local Planners

Page Image

Page Content

Keeping fuel data current over time is an issue faced by many wildland fire managers. Natural events like wildfires and hurricanes, and human activities, such as forest thinning, prescribed fire, and development constantly change the landscape and quickly render fuel data out of date.

The LANDFIRE program provides a data safety net by producing biannually updated fuels products for all-lands in the United States. But even these data are two to three years old when they are delivered, and while they provide a good starting point, they are designed for national and regional level application. Local review and calibration is recommended to ensure that the data are suitable for smaller landscapes.

An example from Idaho illustrates how adjusting LANDFIRE fuel data can ensure that current, accurate fuel information is ready to support fire and land management activities. Authors: Kori Blankenship, Anthony Beauchaine, Don Helmbrecht and Jeannie Patton.